Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,
I've noticed that my young Eastern box turtle has an extra scute on the left side of his (her?) shell. From what I've read, these kinds of imperfections are usually caused by high incubation temps. Does this also mean that my turtle is probably female, since it was likely incubated at a high temperature?

if it was indeed incubated, then there is a good chance. Incubated eggs are typically kept at a constant temperature through their development. At this higher temperature, at one point in their development they will be more likely to be female when this is determined. That happens only at one time. During the development of the shell, higher temperatures can cause mutations. Incubating at a higher temp, then, will produce animals that if they are deformed, they will also likely be female.

In the wild the temps can fluctuate quite a bit, so the two time periods can have different temperatures, resulting in mutated males.

I also have a hatching, which I think is a male (now three years old), with 2 extra scutes. But it's sibling from the same clutch has normal number of scutes. I did not incubate at a higher temp but at about 84 degrees. So do know if the theory always holds true. Can you find out from the breeder what temps was used?

>>SNIP) Does this also mean that my turtle is probably female, since it was likely incubated at a high temperature?
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Tess
Kingsnake.com Forum Host

84 degrees IS a higher temp.